"The Catcher in the Rye" is a classic novel from the 20th century that is still widely read throughout schools today. This will be our first novel of the semester. Just in case you don't have the handouts I gave you, or you lost them (really? lost? Not you), you can find most, if not all the handouts attached to my this wikipage.


PRE-READING HANDOUTS




All of these handouts will help get you ready and prepare to read about the main character, Holden Caulfield, and his ineptitude.

"The Catcher in the Rye" is an infamous novel and is known throughout the world. The title came from an Robert Burns poem and has been remedied into various genres of songs. Also, J.D. Salinger's novel has inspired bands to create music based on and influenced by Holden Caulfield himself. One of the more famous bands to write a song based off Caulfield is Greenday. Check out these links.


Greenday - Who Wrote Holden Caulfield?

Nothing Ever Stays - Revenge of Holden Caulfield

Guns 'N Roses - The Catcher in the Rye


Here is the actual poem by Burns that the book title is based off of, as well as a modern English translation.
Burns Original
Standard English Translation
Comin Thro' The Rye.

O Jenny's a' weet, poor body,
Jenny's seldom dry:
She draigl't a' her petticoatie,
Comin thro' the rye!

Comin thro' the rye, poor body,
Comin thro' the rye,
She draigl't a' her petticoatie,
Comin thro' the rye!

Gin a body meet a body
Comin thro' the rye,
Gin a body kiss a body,
Need a body cry?

Gin a body meet a body
Comin thro' the glen,
Gin a body kiss a body,
Need the warld ken?

Gin a body meet a body
Comin thro' the grain,
Gin a body kiss a body,
The thing's a body's ain.
Coming Through The Rye.

O Jenny is all wet, poor body,
Jenny is seldom dry:
She draggled all her petticoats,
Coming through the rye!

Coming through the rye, poor body,
Coming through the rye,
She draggled all her petticoats,
Coming through the rye!

Should a body meet a body
Coming through the rye,
Should a body kiss a body,
Need a body cry?

Should a body meet a body
Coming through the glen,
Should a body kiss a body,
Need the world know?

Should a body meet a body
Coming through the grain,
Should a body kiss a body,
The thing is a body's own.